Garden aesthetics

Andrea Bellamy |

So I bought this raised bed kit from Lee Valley Tools for my roof-top veggie garden. I was hoping that it would look as passable as it does in the above photos, but, when I got it home and assembled it, it looked like I had nicked a curbside recycling bin. In short: it’s ugly.

But, I reasoned, no one will see it but Ben and me and our occasional guests. But Ben wasn’t having any of it. “How am I going to be able to relax on the deck with that thing,” he complained.

Which brings me to my rant: why is it so hard to find garden accessories that are sleek, modern and affordable? I can’t be the only one who doesn’t want – or who’s home doesn’t suit – rustic chic or “Asian inspired”?

It is SO funny that I’m reading this post today! I JUST put mine together! The very same “raised bed thingy”. I planted lots of trailing lobelia around the edges in hopes of covering up the black PLASTIC!! I am visiting from Alicia Bock’s mailing list. Met her on etsy.com :)